QPR eye up Jelavic as Redknapp gets set to launch bid of up to £5m for unsettled striker

QPR are prepared to offer up to £5million to try and prise Nikica Jelavic away from Everton.

The unsettled striker, who could return to Everton’s starting line-up for Saturday’s FA Cup tie with QPR at Goodison Park, wants to be playing on a regular basis, ahead of next summer’s World Cup, and has attracted an enquiry from the Championship promotion hopefuls.

Loftus Road boss Harry Redknapp is now ready to step up his interest with an initial bid of around £3.5m that could rise to £5m.

Wanted: Everton striker Nikica Jelavic (right) could be the subject of a bid of up to £5m from QPR

Keen: QPR manager Harry Redknapp is ready to launch an initial bid of £3.5m which could rise to £5m

‘QPR have asked about him,’ said Everton manager Roberto Martinez. ‘I’m sure he knows about it, because, these days, the players are the first to find out.

'He will never go out on loan, but he needs to play to go to the World Cup, so if he is allowed to move, it will be out of respect for his career and what he has done for us.’

Unsettled: Jelavic has fallen out of favour at Everton since Roberto Martinez took over

Willing: Martinez (left) won't let Jelavic leave on loan but acknowledges that he could be sold